Aussie Cruise Travel Soars to Record High in 2025, Surpassing Pre-Pandemic Levels
Australian cruise travel has surged to an all-time record, with 1.45 million passengers taking holidays in 2025, according to new data released today. This figure represents a significant increase, overtaking the pre-pandemic peak of 1.35 million set in 2018 and marking a robust recovery for the industry.
Key Statistics and Trends in Australian Cruise Market
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported that the 2025 numbers show a 9.5 per cent rise compared to 2024, cementing Australia's position as the fourth-largest cruise market globally by passenger volume. This enthusiasm for cruising is reflected in several key findings from CLIA's annual Source Market Report for 2025.
Demographic Shifts: The average age of Australian cruise passengers fell to 47.3 years in 2025, down from 48.4 the previous year. This continues a global trend of cruise lines attracting younger generations, with over a third (34.2 per cent) of Australian cruisers aged under 40.
Regional Preferences: The most popular cruise region for Australians in 2025 was Australia, New Zealand, and the South Pacific, accounting for 80.3 per cent of all cruises. Other notable regions included:
- Mediterranean: 6.3 per cent
- Asia: 4.5 per cent
- Alaska: 2.5 per cent
- Caribbean: 1.7 per cent
- Northern Europe: 1.3 per cent
- Hawaii and the US West Coast: 0.7 per cent
- South America/Panama: 0.4 per cent
Additionally, expedition cruises made up 0.8 per cent of the market, while trans-Atlantic and world cruises reached 0.5 per cent.
Global Context and Economic Impact
Globally, ocean cruise travel reached a record 37.2 million passengers in 2025, a 7.5 per cent increase from the previous record of 34.6 million in 2024. In Australia, the cruise industry contributes $7.32 billion annually to the national economy and supports more than 22,000 jobs, highlighting its significant economic role.
Challenges and Industry Concerns
Despite the record numbers, CLIA executive director in Australasia Joel Katz expressed concerns about Australia's competitiveness as a cruise destination. He noted that while demand is high, regulatory uncertainties and rising costs are making it difficult to attract ships to local waters.
"The number of Australians cruising is at record levels, and with around 80 new ships coming online worldwide over the next decade, this passion can only rise," Katz said. "However, Australia is struggling to attract ships to our own waters because of regulatory uncertainties and rising costs, so we are becoming uncompetitive as a destination and losing tourism to other countries."
Katz emphasized the need for a national action plan involving Federal, State, and Territory Governments to create greater regulatory certainty and restore Australia's competitiveness. His comments are supported by data showing that 286,000 Australians cruised outside the local region in 2025, a 17 per cent increase from 2024.
This trend underscores the importance of addressing these challenges to ensure the continued growth and sustainability of the cruise industry in Australia, benefiting both the economy and local communities.
